NHL cancels all games in November (Updated)

(Credit: Getty Images) With today’s announcement of the cancellation of all games in November, Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Drector Donald Fehr have put the Winter Classic – and the 2012-13 NHL season – at risk of being slashed.

Chalk up another casualty to the NHL Lockout.

As first reported by CBC’s Elliot Friedman (via Twitter) the league announced that all games in November will be canceled due to the ongoing negotiations (or lack thereof) between the owners and the NHLPA for a new collective bargaining agreement. The news came just 24 hours after Thursday’s deadline to save an 82-game season.

NHL informs teams games up to and including Nov. 30 will be cancelled. As far as I know, there was no mention of Winter Classic.

While the Winter Classic will still be up for discussion whenever the two sides meet again, its safe to assume now that any hopes of a season hinge on this year’s version between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 1. Also surviving today’s cuts is the 2013 All-Star Weekend in Columbus on Jan. 26-27 according to Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch.

#NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly tells Dispatch the 2013 NHL All-Star Game – to be hosted by #CBJ in Nationwide – not part of today’s cuts

Among the games being scratched this time around is the “NHL Thanksgiving Showdown” on Nov. 23 between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers – the day after Thanksgiving – and the Hall of Fame game in Toronto on Nov. 9 between the Leafs and the defending Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils.

It’s truly another bad day for the sport. And its another instance where the fans are left in the dust.

Update: Well here’s another bombshell. According to sources from ESPN’S John Buccigross, the Winter Classic and NHL All-Star Game could be axed on Monday.